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PHOTOS: Tommy’s Place’s first Open Mic Night

USC’s performing artists find a new home after the closure of Ground Zero.

By Jason Goode and Eric GyuMin Choi
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(Photo by Jason Goode)

After the Ground Zero Performance Café held their last Open Mic Night Apr. 25, performing artists on USC’s campus were unsure of when and where they might foster the community’s growth they built up in recent years.

The answer: Tommy’s Place, where the first Open Mic Night of the year took place on Aug. 29.

This venue, located on the bottom floor of the Ronald Tutor Campus Center, is known for their Wednesday Tommy Trivia, Thursday Tommy-Oke and Band Nights the last Friday of every month, but this is their first Open Mic Night.

Jordan Jones, a senior majoring in popular culture, was the House Manager at Ground Zero and transitioned to working at Tommy’s Place. Jones said that at the last Ground Zero performance 50 people wanted to sign up, yet at this first event at Tommy’s place only 16 performances occurred. Jones was optimistic “that [Tommy’s Place] will attract a lot more attention, especially through word of mouth,” once people realize the Open Mic events are occurring.

Sayanti “Syante” Ghosh, a communication management graduate student, had never performed at an in-person Open Mic. Nerves seemed to be a common concern before people performed, but once on-stage it was hard to see anyone, especially up at the front rows.

“I was a little nervous at first but when I saw people encouraging me and supporting me, I was like, okay, I’m going to do this,” Ghosh said.

Shaylen Nelson, a UC San Diego alum, felt like he was adopted by the performing artist community since the first time he came to Ground Zero last January.

Nelson performs original poems, and when comparing atmospheres between Ground Zero and Tommy’s Place he said, “the vibe is definitely different, but I love it though, too. I feel like Ground Zero was more like a poetry lounge,” in terms of the “laid-back” nature and dimmer lighting.

The Open Mic Night is now set to take place every Monday Night from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. with sign-ups for performances starting at 8 p.m. Staff members of Ground Zero have been rehired by Trojan Event Services at different venues if they wished to stay on.

Tommy’s place will resume performances Sept. 12 and will not hold an Open Mic Night this Monday due to Labor Day.

A “Jam Session” occurred prior to the opening up of the stage to performers for the Open Mic Night.
A “Jam Session” occurred prior to the opening up of the stage to performers for the Open Mic Night. (Photo by Jason Goode)
A view of the seating arrangement, stage and distribution of people directly before the first performances.
A view of the seating arrangement, stage and distribution of people directly before the first performances. (Photo by Jason Goode)
A student uses their pool cue to play a game at one of the two pool tables in the corner of Tommy’s Place.
A student uses their pool cue to play a game at one of the two pool tables in the corner of Tommy’s Place. (Photo by Jason Goode)
Tables centered near the front were mostly empty, but around 30 students were watching the performances from different places around the underground venue in couches on the periphery or at tables in the middle of the large room.
Tables centered near the front were mostly empty, but around 30 students were watching the performances from different places around the underground venue in couches on the periphery or at tables in the middle of the large room. (Photo by Jason Goode)
As Ghosh sang and played the guitar, she deemed the experience enjoyable. The audience is “so appreciative, they cheer you on and even when you make mistakes… it’s fine. I think that’s a really supportive environment,” Ghosh said.
As Ghosh sang and played the guitar, she deemed the experience enjoyable. The audience is “so appreciative, they cheer you on and even when you make mistakes… it’s fine. I think that’s a really supportive environment,” Ghosh said. (Photo by Jason Goode)
Shaylen Nelson, a poet and painter, looks forward to continuing performing at Tommy’s Place. The higher and larger stage, “gives more attention to the performers… which is good, but at the same time, I feel like it’s a little bit more daunting,” Nelson said.
Shaylen Nelson, a poet and painter, looks forward to continuing performing at Tommy’s Place. The higher and larger stage, “gives more attention to the performers… which is good, but at the same time, I feel like it’s a little bit more daunting,” Nelson said. (Photo by Jason Goode)
A student laughs while performing his stand-up routine.
A student laughs while performing his stand-up routine. (Photo by Jason Goode)
Musicians, rappers and singers display their talent and stage presence in front of the audience. Ingrid Gessert, who performed at previous Open Mic events, sang original songs as did many other artists.
Musicians, rappers and singers display their talent and stage presence in front of the audience. Ingrid Gessert, who performed at previous Open Mic events, sang original songs as did many other artists. (Photo by Jason Goode)

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